Inquiry into the forces shaping the future of the chemical engineering profession

1. Introduction

Chemical engineering is central to modern life. It underpins energy systems, clean water, medicines, food and drink, advanced manufacturing, materials and many of the technologies required for a more sustainable and resilient economy. Yet the profession is itself being reshaped by rapid technological, environmental, industrial and societal change.

The IChemE Presidential Inquiry Engineering Tomorrow: The Five Forces Shaping Chemical Engineering, will examine how chemical engineering can respond to, enable, and lead that change.

Building on Professor Raffaella Ocone's Presidential Inquiry into chemical engineering research, this Inquiry will look beyond the current state of the discipline towards its future direction, relevance and public value.

2. The Five Forces

The inquiry will be guided around five pre-identified forces:

1. Artificial intelligence and machine learning
2. Decarbonisation, climate adaptation and resilience
3. Materials revolution and the circular economy
4. Bio-integration
5. Modular manufacturing

3. Approach

The Inquiry will draw evidence from practising chemical engineers, industry and employers, academia and education, early-career professionals and students, policymakers, regulators and other relevant organisations and disciplines.

It will seek a deliberate balance between academic and industry/practitioner evidence. In addition to an open Call for Evidence, IChemE will undertake targeted engagement with employers, practising engineers and relevant industrial sectors to ensure that the Inquiry reflects experience from those applying chemical engineering in practice.

The Inquiry will aim to produce:

• a concise and accessible Presidential Inquiry report;
• practical recommendations for IChemE, industry, employers, educators and policymakers;
• an evidence base and case studies demonstrating how the Five Forces are already changing chemical engineering internationally;
• public-facing material explaining the changing role and contribution of chemical engineering;
• briefing material for policymakers and industry; and

4. How to engage

The inquiry will begin with an initial call for evidence which will be open from Tuesday 29 September 2026. The details for the call for evidence, including questions to guide submissions, can be found here: Engineering Tomorrow: The Five Forces Shaping Chemical Engineering - Call for Evidence

Written evidence should be submitted by Friday 27 November 2026 23:59 to policy@icheme.org.

Please include:

• your name
• organisation (if applicable)
• whether you are submitting in an individual or organisational capacity.

Responses may address any of the questions contained within the call for evidence document. We particularly welcome:

• real-world examples and case studies;
• evidence of approaches that have succeeded or failed;
• international comparisons;
• emerging practice; and
• ideas which challenge conventional thinking.

Following the close of the call for evidence, IChemE will organise further opportunities to engage based on the key themes identified.

5. Timeline

The inquiry launches on Tuesday 29 September 2026 with an initial call for evidence. Submissions close at the end of November. From January to March 2027, the team will gather further evidence through interviews and workshops, supported by ongoing desktop research. The final report—detailing findings and recommendations—will launch in early May 2027.

6. More information

For more information, please refer to the inquiry’s terms of reference.